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Stuart (1603-1714 AD)

The Stuart period covers the time between 1603 and 1704. The Stuart era starts after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, the last of the Tudors, who died without leaving any heirs to the throne. The rule went to James VI of Scotland, who was of the house of Stewart and became James I of England.

James was a firm protestant and he expelled all of the catholic priests from England in the year 1605. In retaliation a group of Catholic’s plotted to blow up Parliament when it opened on the 5th of November. The plot was uncovered and most of the plotters captured and executed; the best known of these is Guy Fawkes. James also believed in the absolute power of the monarchy and had a poor relationship with parliament.

Charles I reigned from 1625-49 and continued the poor relationship with parliament that had started with his father. In 1629 he dissolved parliament and ruled without for 11 years. This resulted in the English civil war which ran from 1642-1646 and was largely between different classes. Parliament drew most of its support from the middle class whilst the king had the support of the nobility, clergy and most of the peasantry. Parliament troops were known as the round heads and those of the kin as the cavaliers.

From this civil war emerged a Parliamentary General called Oliver Cromwell, who trained his troops into the disciplined New Model Army. The war ended with defeat for Charles who was tried and convicted of treason in 1649 and executed. The Stuart monarchy was temporarily replaced after the execution and the rule was by the Common Wealth of England (1649-1660). Parliament was in control during this period, but the real power lay with Oliver Cromwell and the army. Cromwell eventually established the protectorate which meant he essentially ruled as if he was the monarch. After his death the rule returned to the Stuart line with Charles II returning from exile.

In 1665 the great plague hit London and decimated the population. Things did not improve the following year with the Great Fire, which left much of the capital in ruins.

Charles II was succeeded by his brother James II (1685-88). There was a rebellion launched in 1685 by the Duke of Monmouth. This was called ‘The Pitchfork Rebellion’ and was composed of farmers and labourers. James II won and those who rebelled against him were tried and executed. Eventually public opinion turned against James and parliament invited the protestant William and Mary of Orange to rule. They both ruled England 1689-1702.

Queen Anne came to the throne and ruled from 1702-14. In the year 1707 Scotland and England came to form Great Britain. The Union Jack became the national flag and was composed of the crosses of St George (England) and St Andrew (Scotland). Even though Anne had 17 children, she outlived them all. After her death the throne went to the Bavarian George of Hanover.

The Stewart era saw the improvement of food production and the introduction of new crops, which reduced the threat of famine. There was better care for the poor and the Stuarts started what is now called the welfare state. By 1714 it had been accepted that no one could be punished for witch craft. Science advanced and the Cambridge scholar Sir Isaac Newton wrote ‘Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica.’ The British Empire was started. At the start of this era there were virtually no colonies, but by the end there were colonies in North America, West Indian Islands, Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean. In 1694 the Bank of England was formed by merchants.